Global Briefing, Mar. 29, 2011: Chuck Norris and Other Superheroes

Orator-in-Chief — Obama’s Libya speech was long on doctrine, but short on details, writes Michael Crowley on Swampland; On Global Spin, Tony Karon explains how the president aligned American and Arab goals.

Sizing Up Social Media — A new study, ‘Who Says What to Whom on Twitter,’ shows that a mere 20,000 Twitter users steal almost half of the spotlight, notes Mashable. It’s a must-read bit of research for those keen to trumpet (or dismiss) ‘Twitter revolutions.’

Beside the Point — The Burma sanctions debate in the West is made largely immaterial by the investment currently flooding the country, writes TIME’s Hannah Beech. A new report details the impact of such investments on minority groups.

Arab Superheroes — “Suddenly it’s cool to be an Arab,” says the National, an English-language newspaper published in Abu Dhabi. Here’s the soundtrack to that thought.

Drug Runners — “Narco U-boats were a murky legend of the depths, the drug-cartel version of the Loch Ness monster,” writes John Otis. “Not anymore.” (Seriously?)

Selling ‘Soft Power’ — China would have an easier time making friends overseas if it wasn’t cracking down on lawyers and activists at home, argues Joseph Nye in the Washington Post. Read Austin Ramzy’s reporting on the country’s thwarted ‘Jasmine’ protests, here.

‘Memorial Madness’ — Ever since Polish President Lech Kaczynski was killed in a plane crash, his brother, the current opposition leader, has held monthly vigils in his honor, reports Spiegel Online. To call attention to what they call a cynical political ploy, a group of protesters decided to host their own memorial: a birthday celebration for Chuck Norris. And that’s a fact.